Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[Fredrik]

The Co. I'm getting it from is SDYD in Shangdong . They are a subsidiary of SAAO, who make much heavier machines. When I first got in touch with them most of the office must have been out sick because I got one of their engineers. The more I told him what I wanted the more interested he got. Remember though that none of these Co's. make a lot of their own parts.You need buckets , go see the bucket man, need slewing motors , see that man etc. What Mr Goa did for me was listen , take notes , shop around and offer suggestions . Many parts or suggestions I rejected. So he tried again. I ended up with about 90% of what I wanted . I spent way to many hours on this ( according to my wife ) because I had to communicate with him during engineers hours not salesman hours. This is a one off machine and I think only 8% of their market is to the USA. They have asked me for monthly reports on wear and tear and asked I collect others im put as to build quality, ease of use, etc. We shall see what we shall see. Worst case , I blew 15 grand, best case , a better cheap digger enters the market.. They did offer to put me up in a hotel, gratis, to view the factory, but I had to pay for the flight.23 hours of airports and flying sounds like purgatory but who knows ..................

 

[Fredrik]

I plan on posting how the DDP goes. Tracking , carrier service , transport time, paperwork , the full catastrophe.

 

[jodieadair]

I just received a new Hightop HT15 from a guy out of Memphis. He was very quick to respond to questions and had the best prices I could find anywhere.
The machine is the 1.5 ton version ( I think we all know it aint nowhere near that heavy). None the less it is a larger machine as far as the body goes. Some sites that have these listed show around 2200 pounds actual weight. I am quite happy with the purchase. I got the machine, hydraulic thumb, 16" bucket, 24" smooth bucket, quick attach and rake all delivered a couple hundred miles the next day away for $8200 total. He was very accomidating and says he can get any parts needed. He is from China so he may have better connections or at least better communication with them than some. The canopy blew off on the way down but he said he will order and ship anew one to me along with any other attachments I may want in the future.
There doesn't seem to be a counterwight but there is an abundance of space in the engine bay for some of the improvements listed here.

 

[dfkrug]

I just received a new Hightop HT15 from a guy out of Memphis.

Nice.

HighTop seems to be a reseller, selling product from different factories.

I see you have the pilot controls. Are you going to open up the house to check bolt tightness and if you have oil cooling and oil filtration?

Your hyd pump looks like a larger (greater than the usual 6.8cc) single-chamber pump. That means you have flow a divider, probably on main valve stack.

 

[jodieadair]

Nice.

HighTop seems to be a reseller, selling product from different factories.

I see you have the pilot controls. Are you going to open up the house to check bolt tightness and if you have oil cooling and oil filtration?

Your hyd pump looks like a larger (greater than the usual 6.8cc) single-chamber pump. That means you have flow a divider, probably on main valve stack.

I will be checking bolts, changing fluids, adding fan and filters.
Tell me where to look and I'll take some more pictures.

 

[jodieadair]

I'd like to hear some opinions on adding a counter weight. The rear panel is just sheet metal and doesn't seem like it could hold much added weight.
There is lots of room in the rear of the engine bay. Maybe atttach some weight to the rounded base in the pic?

 

[dfkrug]

I'd like to hear some opinions on adding a counter weight. The rear panel is just sheet metal and doesn't seem like it could hold much added weight.
There is lots of room in the rear of the engine bay. Maybe atttach some weight to the rounded base in the pic?

Your machine probably has the longer house, with 41 track links instead of 37. You could add some weights inside like my early mini has (3 25# steel plates). If your local recycler sells lead ingots, those are even better.

 

[jodieadair]

Your machine probably has the longer house, with 41 track links instead of 37. You could add some weights inside like my early mini has (3 25# steel plates). If your local recycler sells lead ingots, those are even better.

Thenks, I'll look for some.

 

[Fredrik]

I will be checking bolts, changing fluids, adding fan and filters.
Tell me where to look and I'll take some more pictures.

One more thing to check is track tightness. Minis will spit their tracks off in a heart beat if not tight. Tighten very tight. Dog house looks nice and open so should be easy to do your mods.

 

[jodieadair]

One more thing to check is track tightness. Minis will spit their tracks off in a heart beat if not tight. Tighten very tight. Dog house looks nice and open so should be easy to do your mods.

So don't leave any play in the tracks? On a Bobcat I had there was supposed to be some play. I know these are different types of machines that have their own quirks though, I'll take your adivice knowing you have experience. I don't want to mess with a track out in the field.
I checked the track links, mine has 37.